What are you listening to now?

[Traverso]

Stravinsky

The second disc of this treasure box

Petrushka & The Rite of Spring

The Cleveland Orchestra

Pierre Boulez

[André]

So it's all fartin' and wailin'?

Added a bunch of Valen albums on Simax and Bis to my Qobuz list.

Over the past 20 years I listened to Valen's 4 symphonies maybe 3 times. Each time I wondered: "why?".  I may try one more time. There's plenty of instances where I ended up clicking with the music after a long hiatus. It's happening right now with the Simpson symphonies.

[Mirror Image]

Debussy
Études
Jan Michiels



This is another disc that when I ripped it, I edited out the non-Debussy works as I really felt none of them were substantial, although the Falla was quite nice, but, also, I don't like other works interspersed with the Debussy works, especially the Études, which is best heard from start to finish, IMHO. Also, this disc contains some other late Debussy works that make this a great disc.

[Mirror Image]

So it's all fartin' and wailin'?

Added a bunch of Valen albums on Simax and Bis to my Qobuz list.

I wouldn't say that, but, as I stated earlier, the music just doesn't impress me. There's no character behind the music.

[rickardg]

J Haydn
Alfred Brendel
Piano Sonata Hob. XVI/20 in c minor

[asin]B00000E36W[/asin]

[bhodges]

Next:

[asin]B073XCX9ZD[/asin]
Quality of performances is exceptional! 

Q

Plus, cover art of the day.

--Bruce

[rickardg]

J Haydn
Paul Badura-Skoda
Piano Sonata Hob. XVI/20 in c minor
[asin]B001VLGMGI[/asin]

This is a recording from 2008, I couldn't find the Astrée disc with this sonata available for streaming anywhere even though the others are (and my old rip is in a backup drive somewhere...)

[Florestan]

The best comment upon Haydn's music comes from Haydn himself:

Often, when struggling against obstacles of every sort which oppose my labors: often, when the powers of mind and body weakened, and it was difficult to continue the course I had entered on; – a secret voice whispered to me: "there are so few happy and contented peoples here below; grief and sorrow are always their lot; perhaps your labors will once be a source from which the care-worn, or the man burdened with affairs, can derive a few moments rest and refreshment." This was indeed a powerful motive to press onwards, and this is why I now look back with cheerful satisfaction on the labors expended on this art, to which I have devoted so many long years of uninterrupted effort and exertion.

(emphasis mine)

Such supreme humility from the part of a genius aligns itself perfectly with the remark of another genius, perhaps not coincidentally contemporary with Haydn:

Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.

Haydn clearly loved his audience --- and it shows, big time. He is probably --- nay, certainly, in my book --- the most amiable, companionable and genial great composer ever. Whenever I have a listening burn out, I spin some Haydn, no matter what, and my love for music is instantly rekindled. 

[SonicMan46]

Next:

 

Quality of performances is exceptional! 

Hi Que - boy, the only recording I own w/ Zefiro is the Vivaldi disc inserted above (which is excellent) - just looking on Amazon and this group has 'mucho' offerings, many w/ similarly attractive cover art - guess that I need to look more closely.  Dave

[Mirror Image]

Stravinsky

The second disc of this treasure box

Petrushka & The Rite of Spring

The Cleveland Orchestra

Pierre Boulez

Good to see you going through this box, Traverso. So much more awaits your discovery.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Grazna Bacewicz, Symphony for Strings, Concerto for Strings, Piano Quintet (transcribed for chamber orchestra).

[asin]B00NWZIRHS[/asin]

Neoclassical/Neobaroque, complex contrapuntal textures, dissonant harmonies. Right up my alley! I liked this recording better than the Hyperion recording that has some of the same repertoire.

Maybe tomorrow I'll listen to the Piano Quartet in its proper chamber music version.

[Mirror Image]

Grazna Bacewicz, Symphony for Strings, Concerto for Strings, Piano Quintet (transcribed for chamber orchestra).

[asin]B00NWZIRHS[/asin]

Neoclassical/Neobaroque, complex contrapuntal textures, dissonant harmonies. Right up my alley! I liked this recording better than the Hyperion recording that has some of the same repertoire.

Maybe tomorrow I'll listen to the Piano Quartet in its proper chamber music version.

Great stuff. I really like this disc as well. I need to spend more time with her SQs. Also, you meant Piano Quintet I'm sure. I might join you in that as it's been quite some time since I've heard her first Piano Quintet. I've been meaning to get around to her Violin Sonatas as well.

This 2-CD set is still in its' plastic wrap:

[asin]B000GIN4T0[/asin]

[Todd]

A real snag of a clearance disc.  This Leibniz Trio release caught my eye because it was cheap and because the pianist is Nicholas Rimmer, often reliable partner on disc to the great Nils Monkemeyer.  This disc has trios from Frank Martin, Dvorak, and whippersnapper Joseph Finlay.  The Finlay, in all its unabashed contemporary goodness, is quite excellent.  The Dvorak (the Op 65, not the Dumky!) is predictably superb, but the highlight here is the Frank Martin Trio on Popular Irish Folk Tunes.  Immaculately crafted, an even more refined sort of folk tune infused music a la Bartok, the piece makes me think I should listen to more Frank Martin.  I think that every time I listen to music by the composer.

The trio of musicians all do high end work.  Mr Rimmer is turning out to be a younger version of Enrico Pace.

I just may have to get the trio's Mendelssohn disc.

[HIPster]

Another spin this morning of this superb disc of music from Spain's Golden Age:

[asin]B00XDCB1QO[/asin]

Hat tip towards Que   

The Golden Age (Siglo de oro) of Spain began during the rule of Emperor Charles V (1516-1556). Spain's political and economic power also led to an artistic and cultural heyday. The most important musicians of this period included Francisco Correa de Arauxo and Manuel Rodrigues Coelho. During this period, the most important genre in keyboard music was the Tiento . Originally an imitative form, it became a symbol of baroque freedom in the hands of Correa de Arauxo, thanks to his creativity in the use of harmony, rhythm and the art of ornamentation. The art of diminution of a work ( Glosas ) - the dissolution of the composition in smaller note values - is impressively shown by Correa, too. The organ of San Hipolito Church in Cordoba was built by Joseph Corchado in 1735. Over the course of the centuries, the organ was subjected to various alterations, but no fundamental changes were made in its structure and disposition. In 2006 the entire instrument was subjected to a complete restoration. The main concern of this careful restoration was to preserve the character and aesthetic of this unique instrument and to restore its originally tuning and temperament. The works recorded here are thus played on an organ that comes as close as possible to the sound aesthetics of the period during which they were composed. The alternating choral singing is interwoven with the sound of the organ, revealing aspects of the vocal writing style of the epoch.

[Christo]

Another spin this morning of this superb disc of music from Spain's Golden Age:

[asin]B00XDCB1QO[/asin]

Hat tip towards Que   

Funny, was just playing it; superb is indeed te word. 

[vandermolen]

The darkly powerful Symphony:

[Que]

Hi Que - boy, the only recording I own w/ Zefiro is the Vivaldi disc inserted above (which is excellent) - just looking on Amazon and this group has 'mucho' offerings, many w/ similarly attractive cover art - guess that I need to look more closely.  Dave

And Ensemble Zefiro is led by star oboist Alfredo Bernardini, who plays a prominent role in these pieces for 2 oboes and bassoon.  The 2nd oboe and bassoon are played by the brothers Paolo and Alberto Grazzi.

Q

[SonicMan46]

Well back to the Renaissance for the morning:

Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da (c. 1525-1594) - own about a half dozen discs of this great Italian 16th century composer, but barely have touch the surface of his prolific output (quote below).  Dave

Palestrina left hundreds of compositions, including 105 masses, 68 offertories, at least 140 madrigals and more than 300 motets. In addition, there are at least 72 hymns, 35 magnificats, 11 litanies, and four or five sets of lamentations. The Gloria melody from Palestrina's Magnificat Tertii Toni (1591) is widely used today in the resurrection hymn tune, Victory (The Strife Is O'er). (Source)

   

[Florestan]

And Ensemble Zefiro is led by star oboist Alfredo Bernardini, who plays a prominent role in these pieces for 2 obies and bassoon.  The 2nd oboe and bassoon are played by the brothers Paolo and Alberto Grazzi.

Q

I recommend these wholeheartedly:



In my book the 18th-century music for winds is the essence of civilization. 

[Todd]